Customer Reviews

On Becoming a Painter

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I was curious about this book for quite a while before purchasing a copy. I finally decided to just go ahead and buy it, thinking if I didn't like it I would send it back. I was surprised how much I liked it; in fact, this book is fabulous!

As previously stated in another review, this book is not for beginners. It isn't a "how to" with step-by-step demonstrations, nor does it tell you which brand of paint to use (though some are listed) or which brush manufacturer is best. What this book does do is elucidate the finer points of painting, and by doing so, helps us understand why some paintings rise to the level of fine art, while others just seem to remain `paintings". I am all too familiar with producing "paintings".

Visually, this book is beautiful. The illustrations are exquisite with some covering two pages, and details of other paintings that show the paint application in a way most books never do. These illustrations are highly instructive themselves, even if you didn't read the text (which would be a shame).

Robert Johnson has his own style, yet you can clearly see the influences of others. He has learned from some of the best and that foundation has allowed him to incorporate their teachings while still growing as an artist to produce his own work. I believe this is as it should be. The skill of an artist is making it look easy and not labored. Johnson's work has a fluidity and ease that only comes from years of painting and an increasing understanding of what makes a painting great.

You can see more of his work at his web site http://robertjohnsonart.com. You don't have to want to paint exactly like him to benefit from this book, you just have to read what he has to say and understand it as well as you can within the context of your current artistic development - that's what I'm doing. I know this is a book that you can and should read over and over; each time you do, you will gain more insight to what Johnson has to say. Highly recommended! The table of contents follows:

Foreword by Senator John W. Warner
Chapter 1: On Becoming A Painter
Chapter 2: Color and Composition
Chapter 3: Value
Chapter 4: Edges
Chapter 5: Drawing
Chapter 6: Brushwork
Chapter 7: Materials
Chapter 8: A Painters Life
Chapter 9: On Seeing
Chapter 10: Changing Your Life

This book will make you remember why you wanted to begin painting. It's beautifully written, with words that uplifting and inspiring. It has instruction that would be considered the nuts and bolts of a good painting, though you won't get real step by step how-to's. He paints beautifully and in the truest sense, you feel that you are witnessing a true artist and teacher and that this can't help but inspire you to greater and more rewarding work. This is NOT for beginners by any means. I was slightly disappointed that there were not real hands on exercises on anything, rather more like discussions of what is right or wrong in a painting or method. All in all, an incredible book by a very talented and gifted man. It will make you feel like you are being transported to the threshold of the old masters's world.

This well written and beautifully illustrated volume is both practical and inspiring, without being pretentious like many books professing to reveal the mysteries of painting. If an aspect of painting remains a mystery Johnson doesn't gloss over the fact, but encourages working with paint to understand the ineffable. Plenty of large color reproductions, including full bleed spreads of Johnson's opulent brush strokes (which is an education in itself).

Mr. Johnson has very interesting philisophical views about painting, and the book has many close up color pictures of his color and brushstroke technique. There are no step by step demonstrations, and technical application goes the classical painting approach with emphasis on drawing skills. Many good tips and insight, but more of a theory book than application in my opinion. I have one of his videos, and find this much more helpful in application. He is a very pleasant man and talented painter.

I paint in oil for many years so I didn't "discover" anything new in this book. I think, the book is an excellent choice for the intermediate level oil painter. One of the best chapters is about the brush strokes which show big magnification of artist's strokes on the canvas and then the same brush strokes without any magnification in the context of the whole picture. This is very educative material and I highly recommend this book.

This is a wonderful book. The photograpy is beautiful. It is not a howto book, but is very very helpful. I am very happy I have it!

The book has numerous full color pictures of Mr. Johnson's paintings. He goes into a lot of detail about being a painter, what it means, the work and studies involved, etc. There are closeups of his painting strokes so we can see exactly how he paints. I bought the book from Amazon and will read and reread it endlessly.

Ingenious, Jul 28, 2010
By PatWalker, Rolling Fork, Mississippi


"If you are a painter, " ON BECOMING A PAINTER" is a must for your collection of art books. I have read it over and over and I love it.

The quality of the book is flawless. The craftsmanship is beautiful. Robert Johnson is ingenious in his execution."

After having received the book I feel that I got more than I
paid for.
This book is a wonderful addition to anyone's "art collection".
If you collect art, are an aspiring painter or an accomplished
artist...this book belongs in your library!!
Thanks Robert!!